The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will attend the 34th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting and associated events in Selangor, Malaysia, from October 7-8, 2025. Hosted by The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, in his capacity as Chair of the ASCC Council Meeting 2025 and Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, these meetings are strategically designed to foster a dynamic, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable ASEAN. Dr. Kao is scheduled to deliver remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the ASCC High Level Forum 2025, a key platform to showcase ASCC’s milestones, celebrate ASEAN’s cultural diversity, and reinforce a shared ASEAN identity through engaging panel discussions and an arts and crafts bazaar.
Established as one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, alongside the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASCC embodies ASEAN’s commitment to creating a people-oriented and socially responsible community. ASEAN itself was founded on August 8, 1967, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Subsequently, Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined, expanding the organization’s reach and influence. ASEAN’s core principles, as articulated in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, emphasize mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity; the right of every State to chart its national course free from external interference; non-intervention in internal affairs; peaceful resolution of disputes; renunciation of force; and effective intra-ASEAN cooperation. These principles are not mere platitudes; they are the bedrock upon which ASEAN’s regional stability and cooperative spirit are built.
The ASCC’s objectives are intrinsically linked to the ASEAN 2025 Vision and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, both of which aim to forge a politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socio-culturally harmonious ASEAN Community. The ASCC contributes to these overarching visions by promoting a common ASEAN identity, nurturing a caring and sharing society, and enhancing the well-being, livelihood, and human rights of ASEAN’s diverse citizenry. Its strategic directions encompass a wide array of interconnected domains:
Education is paramount, with a focus on promoting quality education, lifelong learning opportunities, and skills development to equip ASEAN citizens for the demands of the future workforce. This includes initiatives such as the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF), which facilitates the recognition of qualifications across member states, promoting mobility and enhancing employability.
Culture plays a vital role in preserving and promoting ASEAN’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, fostering cultural exchange programs to strengthen regional identity and mutual understanding. This involves supporting initiatives that celebrate ASEAN’s artistic traditions, historical landmarks, and cultural expressions, fostering a sense of shared heritage and regional pride.
Public health is another critical area, with efforts focused on enhancing regional cooperation to address health threats, promote healthy lifestyles, and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for all ASEAN citizens. This includes strengthening regional surveillance systems, coordinating responses to public health emergencies, and promoting health literacy and disease prevention.
Environmental sustainability is also a key priority, with initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development practices, environmental protection, and climate change resilience to ensure a green and sustainable ASEAN Community for future generations. This involves promoting renewable energy sources, conserving biodiversity, and implementing policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The ASCC High Level Forum 2025 is expected to showcase significant milestones in these areas, including advancements in the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) for education, successful cultural heritage preservation projects, impactful regional health security initiatives, and innovative sustainable cities programs. These efforts are closely aligned with Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, emphasizing equitable access to opportunities for all ASEAN citizens and ensuring long-term environmental stewardship across the region. Specific initiatives under discussion include enhancing digital inclusion for marginalized communities, promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices that benefit local communities, and strengthening regional cooperation in public health emergency preparedness to address future pandemics effectively.
| ASCC Goals | Alignment with ASEAN Vision 2025 and 2045 | Examples of Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Promoting Human Development | Contributes to a people-centered and people-oriented ASEAN Community, as envisioned in ASEAN 2025 and 2045. | Implementation of the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) to facilitate skills recognition and mobility. |
| Enhancing Social Well-being and Protection | Supports the creation of a caring and sharing society, ensuring that no one is left behind in the ASEAN Community. | Expansion of social protection programs to cover vulnerable populations, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and migrant workers. |
| Achieving Social Justice and Rights | Promotes equitable access to opportunities and the protection of human rights for all ASEAN citizens. | Strengthening legal frameworks and institutions to combat human trafficking, promote gender equality, and protect the rights of marginalized groups. |
| Ensuring Environmental Sustainability | Contributes to a green and sustainable ASEAN Community, addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. | Promotion of renewable energy sources, sustainable agriculture practices, and conservation of biodiversity. |
| Building an ASEAN Identity | Fosters a sense of belonging and shared identity among ASEAN citizens, strengthening regional unity and solidarity. | Organization of cultural exchange programs, festivals, and media campaigns to promote ASEAN awareness and appreciation of regional diversity. |
Beyond Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the ASCC Council Meeting and High Level Forum will bring together senior officials from ASEAN member states, representatives from various ASEAN sectoral bodies, and key stakeholders from civil society organizations and the private sector. Their collective expertise and collaborative efforts are essential for realizing the ASEAN 2025 Vision of a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN, ensuring that the ASEAN Community delivers tangible and equitable benefits to all its citizens, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of regional progress and prosperity. As Malaysia steers ASEAN’s course in 2025 under the banner of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ the ASCC’s role becomes even more critical in translating these ideals into concrete actions that resonate across the diverse tapestry of Southeast Asian societies. The challenge lies not only in setting ambitious goals but also in fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility among all stakeholders, ensuring that the benefits of ASEAN integration are widely distributed and that the region’s natural and cultural heritage is preserved for generations to come.
: What are the goals of the ASCC It aims to create a common identity and build an inclusive sharing and caring society whilst enhancing the well being livelihood and welfare of the people The focus of ASCC is on nurturing the human cultural and natural resources for sustained development in a harmonious and people oriented ASEAN ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) – Asia-Europe Institute
: Sustainability is at the heart of this agenda ASEAN will work collectively to tackle climate change challenges to foster sustainable development economic Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 – Inclusivity and
References
– ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) – Asia-Europe Institute
– Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 – Inclusivity and
– [[PDF] ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future | 1](https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ASEAN-2045-Our-Shared-Future.pdf)
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